The days Dom Mintoff roared and trembled

maltatoday special report maltatoday special report

It was a sultry We watched really going to go slowly set out to June four years breathlessly as the so far as to pull the demonstrate with ago. The tension little man spoke rug from under devastating clarity, of the World Cup carefully, deliber- their feet. Then, that nobody, but only served to add ately, ever-playing sensing a rising air nobody, tried to to the heat. All his audience to of expectant buoy- sideline Dom and ears were glued to derive maximum ancy from the side put him out to pas- their radio sets, lis- impact from every of the foe, he ture and got away tening to the syllable uttered. would deftly turn with. games. All ears? He knew – we all what he had just With the passing One might ask. knew - that this said on its head days, it began to Surely you was his last and deflate the transpire that per- meant…? No. All moment of glory. enemy, causing haps, the grand old our eyes were Slowly, unswerv- everyone to lick patriarch of Mal- glued to the local ingly, he plodded their dry lips as the tese politics was, national TV radio on in that inim- uncertainty started Samson-like, actu- station, where a 83 itable style of his. to mount, for the ally going to pull year-old man once First he would umpteenth time, down the temple again held the tease his side, from square one. about his head, nation in his iron making them doubt Everyone was held burying his ex-col- grasp. whether he was in thrall as he leagues with him. 16 maltatoday Sunday 09 June 2002

maltatoday special report The day Dom Mintoff competed with 15 June, House of Representatives 1998

DOM MINTOFF: Madam he was following what was Here I would like to make a Speaker, I would like to raise mentioned in the electoral small parenthesis because I a breach of privilege. I shall programme and whether he have been accused of not quote legal sources was following party princi- something which they know because it is up to your dis- ples, not to see if the party is not true. I have been tinguished office to check if wanted him removed from accused of having gone there has been a prima facie the post of prime minister. abroad on purpose so that breach of privilege. He did not do this and acted when it came to voting for a I am raising a breach of as if nothing had happened. bill over a loan of 20 million privilege against the Prime liri, I wouldn’t be here to vote Minister Alfred Sant who, Now what did I say in and therefore constrained over the last eight days has November? I said that this you, Madam Speaker, to done everything, including was not a budget that did vote in my stead. This is a threaten me, so that when I credit to the Socialist Party blatant lie. Whoever said came here, not only would I and that it was not true that it this is a liar. And if it was the not vote against the motion – was not going to affect the Prime Minister who said this, and this he had the right to small worker adversely. But then he is a liar as well. do. But that I would resign. the Prime Minister as well as Why? Before I went abroad, This is something that has the ministers - since they I told the Whip to be careful. never happened before in chose to go along with him - I told him: "You left me here the history of democratic used to deny the veracity of on Friday the whole day long parliaments in Europe or the what I was saying. Later on stand-by for nothing world. It has never been that they admitted that the small because you told me there a prime minister gathers all worker was going to be was going to be a vote of his strength, including the affected and they spent confidence in the govern- police force and all he has in months negotiating with the ment. Now are you sure that a district and threatens to two unions and in fact some this vote is not going to hap- resign, and even scares amendments were made. pen on Monday or Tuesday? people if a member of parlia- But they did not only carry Because I’m not likely to be ment does not vote as he out amendments which were here." And he told me: "You wishes. If this does not con- going to influence only the can go." And then, on my stitute breach of privilege, small workers, but also the return nobody attacked me then this house has hotels. I’m saying this or told me: How dare you go absolutely no privileges. If because the Prime Minister abroad when there is a that is how things stand, hardened his head and did money vote? As I said, I then privileges have come to not allow me to speak and thought the opposite was an end. were it not for the opposition true. I knew that there was that gave me a chance, I not going to be a money Now let me continue to would not have been able to vote, not that there was expand this argument, so speak. I am referring to going to be a money vote. that everyone will know why when this issue cropped up When I saw the Whip, I told I’m raising a breach of privi- for the first time. Now one him: "What is this story?" he lege. What was the prime would imagine that from that told me: "Don't worry about minister’s theory? What was time till now, something it, we've arranged the mat- his justification in perpetrat- would have happened, but ter." This is what happened. ing this act, the likes of neither the Prime Minister, But let me go on about the which has never been seen nor his ministers tried to con- Cottonera episode. in Europe. His justification sult me regarding anything. was that I had been hamper- What I am saying – this is I have to admit that I am ing him for a long time. He important as background - is sick a lot of the time and that said that I had been interfer- that I was never consulted I am not always in a position ing since the last election about anything, especially to follow affairs. I never and not only since this issue when it came to the Cotton- acted as if I were not ill. In not talk about this to any- Did I do wrong because I regarding Cottonera arose. era project. But in spite of fact I tell everyone not to body, not to Gonzi, not to de spoke to them about He did not say, however, that this and in spite of the fact depend on me, because my Marco, even though had I divorce? To those who have he, as head of the party, that they used to do every- health fluctuates from day to spoken to them, it would condemned me without lis- when he convened the gen- thing to try and avoid me. . . day. But when I'm healthy have been perfectly within tening to me - I am referring eral assembly, could have here I’m not going to men- let nobody think that they my right. Since when do I to all the members of Parlia- hauled me in front of the tion what they did to annoy can use me to work against not have the right to speak ment - I ask: board of discipline to inquire me personally to force me to the party and the nation. At with other members of Par- "Do I have the right to do whether or not I had broken either tow the line or else this point in time I'm healthy, liament to seek their opinion this or not" Did I break any- the disciplinary code of the leave Parliament. I will refer but I don't know what I'm about things that have to do body's code of discipline by party. He had a legal right, a to this at a later date so that going to be like tomorrow with Parliament? Since doing this? Those that are democratic right and the I won’t mix what is personal morning, like anybody else. when has the right been hearing this now deserve to right conferred by the party with affairs that have to do Let me repeat, I did not taken away that somebody blush! to do this. But what did he with the nation, but if they know anything about the from this side speaks to do instead? He went on and dare me to I will mention it as Cottonera project, I knew somebody from the other I reiterate, Madam Speaker, said during the conference: well. absolutely nothing, and side of the House? And this that until Friday I knew noth- "Give me a vote of confi- when I read about the is no plotting; I did not speak ing and I called the deputy dence," and expected that I Madam Speaker, I knew of amendments that were pre- to them because there was leader, as I was bound to. who did not give a vote of no nothing, but I remained sented by the Nationalist no time, because there was Were it true that I wanted to confidence against him, but watchful and when I saw Party and when I saw that no need to speak and start trouble in the party and had only told him that what things that went against the what they were saying was because I did not want to that I wanted to topple the he was doing went against interests of the nation, true, I did not come here and involve them and not government, as they are the fundamental principle of against the interests of the inform all of through because I was going to do saying, I would not have the party, that it is not in the party, against the pro- the television that the any wrong by speaking to called anyone - I know how party manifesto nor in any- gramme, against everything, Nationalist Party was right, them about these matters. It to put spokes in wheels - I body’s and that I had the I sent word to the Prime Min- but I called the deputy often happens that some- would have said that it’s not right to vote against him in ister. leader and told him: Do me body stops me to speak to my fault and that "this" and Parliament… I only told him Watch your step because I a favour, either you come, or me on the stairs and tells "that" happened. God forbid this and I also sent him a let- have already told you that if else I'll come so that we may me: "Is it possible that you that I do not know how to do ter, the gist of which was that you do these things, I will fin- talk about urgent matters. agree with "this"? By doing these things, but I do not do he should have called a ish up having to vote against Why? When I noticed this it that are we plotting? I often them because it is not in my general conference in order you in Parliament. was Friday, and I swear spoke to the members of the character to do them. That for him to ascertain whether before everyone that I did opposition about divorce. is why I called the deputy maltatoday Sunday 09 June 2002 17

maltatoday special report the World Cup and…

leader and told him: "I'm calling you Now, that day when I voted against because you have the responsibili- the proposal of the government - I ty to guide the party and if you don't did not vote with the Nationalists want to shoulder your responsibility, because it's one thing to vote for an just tell me, don't worry." He told amendment proposed by the Nation- me: "No! Why?" and he came. Now alists and another to vote against a that day I could have had a notary proposal by the government - accompany me - not Madam because I did not agree with it, I Speaker - but any other notary - so knew that the Prime Minister had, that he would be my witness. Do I without telling me anything, asked not have the right to take a witness some ministers, amongst them Min- when I speak to someone, when I ister Vella, to create a lot of propa- would have notified him previously ganda on television about this pro- A president’s so that if he wished to, he also ject. People told me that these could bring his own witness? Did I appeared on the television and I do anything wrong by doing that? said: "Prosit, So I'm trying to do my So if I did not do anything wrong best to hide things and these have view of the why should you involve Sammy already appeared on television! Meilaq in the discussion about When he came to me at 2.00 p.m. - so that they would make fun with Dr George Abela, he said to me: of him and blow raspberries at him? "The contract that we're going to sign Mintoff months with the company is not the one that MADAM SPEAKER: Perit, con- is appearing in Parliament. I'm say- tinue talking about the breach of ing this so that the members on One year ago, on 10 June 2001, this newspaper privilege. either side, whoever they are, will notice that I'm being precise and not conducted an interview with former President of DOM MINTOFF: How else can because I'm on one side of the the Republic Ugo Mifsud Bonnici. The Cottonera- you say it in Maltese? If there is house, the others will say that he's another word tell me and I will use it. lying, even if I'll be saying the truth. born politician had supervised the transition of Have we reached this extreme situa- administration in 1996 and occupied a central role MADAM SPEAKER: I did not tion in this Parliament? So he told me in the run-up to the 1998 freak election. correct your language. that this blessed contract did not contain the clause that they were Here we reproduce excerpts from that interview in DOM MINTOFF: Then I'll say that ready to insert when they signed the which Dr Mifsud Bonnici talks about that eventful they made noises at him from contract. I have my doubts, too behind! But let me continue with whether he told me that they were summer in 1998. what I was saying. Why did this ready to propose this amendment in name crop up? the evening. But I interrupted him and said: "I'm sorry, but I only vote in "Mintoff had been criticising the "I had a judgement to make and MADAM SPEAKER: Honourable Parliament on that which I know is government for quite some time the question I asked myself was, Mintoff, if you don’t mind, do not going to be binding and not on what but I did not believe the issue ‘Could I save this government?" mention people who are not part of you'll do after I have cast my vote. would have come to a head in Dr Mifsud Bonnici reiterates. this House. And if you don't need to include all June. Furthermore, Alfred Sant The options available were lim- these privileges that you're going to did not know the situation was ited. He could have either asked DOM MINTOFF: Madam Speak- give this company, why did you going to precipitate in that way," the Leader of the Opposition to er, either I'm going to talk about include them in the contract? Why Dr Mifsud Bonnici recalls. form a minority government sup- these things or else I'm going to sit don't you amend? He continues, "I could not ported by Mintoff or else turned down and say that this Parliament is understand how the Labour gov- to somebody else from the allowing the Prime Minister to do MADAM SPEAKER: Right Hon- ernment never consulted Mintoff Labour side to see whether he whatever he pleases outside and ourable, you have to connect what on the Cottonera project. This could have mustered a majority that he who is being attacked is you are saying with the breach of did not bode well for Alfred in the House. never even heard. I will say again; privilege. You cannot make this part Sant’s government." Dr Mifsud Bonnici explains that the Prime Minister had no right to of you discussion. The ex-president admits that Mintoff had insisted on more mention this person, the very same the water and electricity price- than one occasion that he did person, moreover that the Prime Min- DOM MINTOFF: Madam Speak- hikes were a difficult measure to not want to support a PN gov- ister himself nominated to be chair- er, I am giving all my reasons why I adopt, but he understands that ernment. man of the Commission for Fiscal think that there is a prima facie they went against Mintoff’s prin- He continues, "from the way Morality, when this person went to breach of privilege, and I'm giving ciples. "Even so I never believed things developed I understood him a second time and said: "No, this all the reasons after the Prime Min- Mintoff would bring down the that nobody except Alfred Sant does not suit me." It is true that the ister, with his government, has government," Dr Mifsud Bonnici would have the trust of the position he wanted to give him was been harping on and lying about remarks. majority of MLP MPs, apart from not suitable. So the Prime Minister me all week, making people cry, However, the issue was more Mintoff obviously." said: "This is what we'll do; take this saying that I'm a traitor and many complex than that. "Alfred Sant The situation left the President bill that we are discussing with the other things. I have as yet not told had taken a number of decisions with no other alternative but to Grand Masters; see what you think of him anything. I'm only mentioning to bring about reconciliation in accept Alfred Sant’s advice to go it and give me your opinion about it." facts. So I expect that you, Madam the country, such as the Inde- for an early general election. I am saying all this to show that these Speaker, will allow me to do so and pendence Day celebrations. Dr Mifsud Bonnici adds, "In my things are no secret and ha d they not interrupt me, and if possible you These could have bothered considered judgement I think wanted to, they could have told me will help me to get this over and Mintoff because they were undo- that was the only option avail- about them. I'm saying all this so done with. ing all that he had created in the able." that he won't stay involving this per- party," Dr Mifsud Bonnici insists. During the whole crisis Dr Mif- son so that he can hurt him tomor- TO CONTINUE Describing the situation at the sud Bonnici never called on row. He told him: "If this bill has to do time, Dr Mifsud Bonnici recalls Mintoff to talk to him. However, with sovereignty, then it's better if you that in June he was in hospital he admits that on more than don't give it to me." And when he undergoing a major operation. one occasion he told Alfred told me about this proposal, "The Acting President had come Sant to take note of the octoge- because he is a friend of mine, I told to me explaining what had hap- narian. him: "Don't you dare show it to me pened in parliament. After the "I repeatedly told Dr Sant to try because tomorrow he'll taunt you vote of no confidence passed in and understand Mintoff. Mintoff and say that he gave you something parliament an election was on was an aged man, the founder in confidence and you came and the doorstep. Given my condi- of the and a per- showed it to me!" I don't know what tion I asked the Acting President sonality in his own right. How- this bill contains but I'm saying this to delay the situation until my ever, there was a clash of per- because there is going to be a link condition improved." sonalities and Dr Sant did not with the Cottonera project. The election seemed to be the take things lying down," Dr Mif- only way out of the impasse. sud Bonnici said.